Author: Catalyst Press | Page 3

Introducing Panel & Page

We love the written word here. I mean, you don’t publish as many books as we have, over as many years, without loving words. But from the very start, we’ve also loved images. Whether they are the whimsical black and white drawings found in books by Niki Daly or Bridget Krone, or the explosion of color in our first graphic novel release, Shaka Rising by Luke Molver, words and images together have also been a vital part of the stories we want to share. With Shaka Rising and its sequel King Shaka, we introduced the world to the African Graphic Novel Series, a collaboration with Jive Media Africa through our joint imprint Story Press Africa.

The Series gave us a way to tell rich, nuanced African histories through the pens and paintbrushes of African creators. We’re so proud of that work. “Wait,” you’re thinking. “Are you not doing graphic novels anymore?” No, nothing like that! The African Graphic Novel Series isn’t going anywhere. We hope that in the future we’ll be able to present more of those stories under that umbrella.

“So what’s this post all about, then?” is probably what you’re asking. Great question! This post is to introduce a sort-of sibling to the African Graphic Novel Series. Say hello to Panel & Page!

Another Honor for Small Mercies

Congratulations to author Bridget Krone and illustrator Karen Vermeulen! The Skipping Stones Awards honor books that “promote an understanding of cultures, cultivate cooperation and/or encourage a deeper awareness of nature, ecology, and diversity.” The Skipping Stones award is yet another wonderful honor for this thoughtful and heartwarming middle-grade novel. The book has also been named a Best Middle-Grade Book of the Year by Kirkus Reviews and an Outstanding International Books by the United States Board on Books for Young People. We’re so proud to publish Small Mercies.

Many thanks to Skipping Stones Magazine, Karen, Bridget, and all of the readers who have read, loved, and supported this book!

Continue reading “Another Honor for Small Mercies”

Happy #WorldBeeDay!

Bees are a vital part of life on Earth. The UN launched World Bee Day in 2018 to show us just how vital. Without pollinators like bees, “would equal a world without food diversity – no blueberries, coffee, chocolate, cucumbers and so much more.”

We’re celebrating #WorldBeeDay by pointing you toward some of our books that highlight just how important bees are. And we’ll share some organizations that are doing the very important work of keeping our ecosystems buzzing along.

#ReadingAfrica Week Comics Panel

We love comics and graphic novel here at Catalyst! One of our earliest releases was Shaka Rising, a graphic novel exploring the life of a legendary Zulu king. We followed that up with a sequel—King Shaka—and a historical graphic novel in translation, Madame Livingstone. 2022 brings another, this time a graphic history, All RIse. That’s why we couldn’t be more excited for this #ReadingAfrica Week Comics/Graphic Novels panel.

Continue reading “#ReadingAfrica Week Comics Panel”

Diasporaaaaah: A #ReadingAfrica Playlist

This guest post is by musician and writer, Amanda Khiri, who has graciously provided our event with its official soundtrack. Amanda, an informal and formal student of jazz since 12, has finally entered into a marriage of the old and new, both lo, and hi-fi. After a stint as half of the duo of Z&A, a Brooklyn-born, electro-soul collaboration with Jake Zavracky in 2013, she started backing up the eclectic afro-funk band, Sinkane; lending her vocals to Sinkane’s 2014 critically acclaimed release, Mean Love, and toured internationally for the next album Life and Livin’ It. Amanda also toured with Luaka Bop’s collective nod to William Onyeabor’s work, with a project called The Atomic Bomb! Band and recorded with that diverse cast when they made their tribute album.

Amanda has shared stages with David Byrne, Money Mark, Alexis Taylor (Hot Chip), Jamie Lidell, Darius Jones, Jon Cowherd, Danny Fox and Charles Lloyd. In September of 2016, Amanda co-produced a second installment of Women Under The Influence: A Night of Nina Simone, with Jonathan Lam as musical director and a diverse roster of artists like Nancy Whang, Luca Bennedetti, Jon Cowherd, Helado Negro, jaytram and others.

Continue reading “Diasporaaaaah: A #ReadingAfrica Playlist”

Calling All Illustrators

Catalyst Press is looking for an illustrator who is ready to showcase their talent by joining a unique team of experts in the fields of anthropology, biology, and history for an exciting new project in the world of children’s books.

Catalyst Press’ children’s titles have received starred reviews, made best-of year-end lists, been honored by the Children’s Africana Book Awards, USBBY, and Skipping Stones. Join us to be a part of the next great spark in children’s literature.

Submit all queries and your portfolio of five (5) .jpeg images that demonstrates an ability to work in the genre of children’s books no later than December 20, 2021, to info[at]catalystpress.org with the subject line “Illustration Submission” and your name.

Black, Indigenous, and POC applicants especially encouraged to apply!

#ReadingAfrica Week 2021 December 5-11

Fridays are our usual day to post all of the literary news from Catalyst and beyond, but because we’re about to step into one of our busiest weeks, this news round-up will only have one item— but it’s a big one.

It’s getting close to #ReadingAfrica Week! That’s right! Our annual celebration of all things African literature starts on December 5. Here’s how you can participate: Continue reading “#ReadingAfrica Week 2021 December 5-11”

What’s New in 2022

Fall is in the air here (translation: I’m already cold). As the calendar pages start falling away on 2021, we thought it’d be a good time to give you all a little sneak peek at our upcoming titles— many of which are available for pre-order.

We’re excited to add more books from one of our favorite children’s authors, Niki Daly, our very first young adult book in translation, and a new addition to our growing list of graphic novels. In addition to those, we think there’s something for just about every kind of reader in our 2022 catalog. Continue reading “What’s New in 2022”

Author Q&A with Disruption: New Short Fiction from Africa Authors

We are so excited to be the North American publisher for Disruption: New Short Fiction from Africa. This thought-provoking anthology is the latest collection from Short Story Day Africa, a non-profit established to develop and share the diversity of Africa’s voices through publishing and writing workshops. And though we usually do author Q&As for our new releases, because this release features 21 authors, we’ve decided to do something a little different.

We’ve talked to some of the Disruption authors, and asked them to share some thoughts about why they write. What compels them to fill blank pages with words, images, scenes, and dialogue. What keeps them writing when it’s hard, when it feels like the words won’t come, when that story you need to tell just won’t let you go. And they answered. With thoughtful, smart, inspiring statements about what keeps them going (Responses have been edited for clarity)

Disruption: New Short Fiction from Africa, edited by Jason Mykl Snyman, Karina M. Szczurek, and Rachel Zadok is out now. Order your copy here. Continue reading “Author Q&A with Disruption: New Short Fiction from Africa Authors”

Q&A with Helen Brain

Note: This post is originally from November 2019. We’re sharing it again because we’re excited to release the second book in Helen’s trilogy—The Rising Tide—on July 13, 2021. Learn more about the book, and order your copy here. You can also enter to win a copy of The Rising Tide at Goodreads. The giveaway runs through July 6.

We’re so excited to add more books for young readers to our catalog. It has always been a part of who we are. We recognize the importance of giving kids and young adults the tools they need to be readers for life. One of the most important tools is giving them books that speak to them and their experiences. Books that value their voices and their concerns. It’s one of the many reasons we’re so proud to publish The Thousand Steps by Helen Brain.

The Thousand Steps is the first in Helen’s futuristic Fiery Spiral trilogy, and is the story of 16-year-old Ebba who has lived her entire life in a bunker deep within Cape Town’s Table Mountain. When she is suddenly elevated from the bunker, she finds that everything she knew about her life, and the world “above,” was wrong. Now shouldering the immense responsibility of her new life, Ebba must fight to save her friends still trapped in the bunker and facing execution any day. Helen’s book deftly explores race, class, and climate change while telling a story that will captivate young readers. School Library Journal praised the book writing, “This novel will draw readers in with its high stakes and well-developed characters.”

We chatted with Helen about her work, why she loves science fiction, and her advice for young writers. The Thousand Steps is out January 3. Continue reading “Q&A with Helen Brain”